Since their formation in 2016, the collective have formed an efficacious musical comradery that has accumulated in the release of their musical manifesto, Leisurevision. The album, released on September 28, is the refinement of a sound they have been methodically polishing since the release of their self-titled debut in 2017. Leisure are the sonic equivalent of mānuka honey; sweet, scrumptious, and with a special quality of high international demand. 

Sofia Machray is a hard worker. She has embedded herself into the Pōneke scene, not only through her own music but also as an event organiser and promoter under Peach Promotions. However busy, she nevertheless finds time to be one of the most exciting up and comers in the Aotearoa indie scene. Machray has just released her latest single, ‘Petals In The Rain’. Newzician was lucky enough to chat to Sofia in the wake of the release to hear more about the inspiration behind that track and what to expect on her upcoming EP.

Sure Boy are notoriously cool. Wellington’s self-proclaimed ‘Baddest girl band’ have established themselves as prolific performers, bringing an energy and electric sound to the country’s capital. In anticipation of the release of “What You Do When You’re Alright” on May 12, Flynn jumped online to join Beth, Simone, Freyja and Lily for a chat about their latest single.

Half/Time are a Te reo Māori Punk band from Kiririroa who are journeying across the globe to perform at FOCUS festival in Wrexham, Wales. The oppoutunity is serving not only to share the energy and flair the band brings to the stage, but a slice of the te reo Māori revitalisation and compare notes with the waves the welsh are making in reviltising their own language.

They say New Zealand is an export economy, and after winning the Aotearoa Music Award for Electronic Artist at the last Aotearoa Music Awards, Leaping Tiger has become the latest of the country’s high quality exports. But don’t think for a second that the now London-based has forgotten his roots. His sophomore album, Godspeed!, might as well have a “Made in New Zealand” sticker stamped on the cover, as he, along with his crop of kiwi contributors, interweave. aspects of both hip-hop and electronica in a way that is both new and familiar.